10. Gennaio 1829.
[4433,3]
Ib. p.
50 - 1. Q136682156We may observe a magical power
exercised by the Greek language and national character over foreign
races that came in contact with them. The inhabitants of Asia Minor hellenized themselves
from the time of the Macedonian conquest, almost without any settlements
among them of genuine Greeks: Antioch, though the common people spoke a
barbarous language, became altogether a Greek city; and the entire
transformation of the Syrians was averted only by their Oriental
inflexibility. Even the Albanians, who have settled as colonies in
modern
4434
Greece, have adopted the Romaic by
the side of their own language, and in several places have forgotten the
latter: it was in this way only that the immortal Suli was Greek; and
the noble Hydra itself, the destructions of which we shall perhaps have
to deplore before the publication of this volume, is an Albanian
settlement. ... Calabria, like
Sicily, continued a Grecian
land, though Roman colonies were planted in the coasts: the Greek
language only began to give way there in the 14th century; and it is not
three hundred years since it prevailed (dominava) Q136682156at Rossano, and no
doubt much more extensively; for our knowledge of the fact as to that
little town is merely accidental: indeed even at this day there is
remaining in the district of Locri a population that speaks Greek. (not. 163. For the
assurance of this fact, which is stated in several books of travels in a
questionable manner, I am indebted to the Minister Count Zurlo; whose learning precludes the
possibility of his having confounded the natives with the Albanian
colonies.)
(10. Gennaio 1829.).
